Cam Ward Gets Nod Again: Wild And Canes, Round Two

by Bob Wage on Oct 8, 2010 10:24 AM EDT

Carolina Hurricanes Jussi Jokinen moving puck during game against Minnesota Wild on October 7, 2010 in Helsinki, Finland. (photo by LTD)

The Carolina Hurricanes and the Minnesota Wild will soon drop the puck for the second game of their two game series in the Compuware NHL Premiere in Helsinki, Finland. Both starting goalies from yesterday, Cam Ward and Nicklas Backstrom, will start again for their respective teams today.

It does not appear that the Canes will change their lineup at all from yesterday. There was no mention of any change in Paul Maurice's interview this morning or on the Hurricanes website. The lines from yesterday were as follows:

Staal, LaRose, Cole
Sutter, Dwyer, Bowman
Jokinen, Ruutu, Skinner
Dalpe, Kostopoulos, O'Sullivan
Gleason, McBain
Pitkanen, Corvo
Babchuk, Harrison

Late in the game yesterday, the coaches did mix and match the defensive pairings a bit, so look for that to continue today as well.

The Hurricanes will be trying to take advantage of a team which seems down and out, at least for the moment. The Wild was winless in the preseason, (against NHL competition), and of course faltered in yesterday's game.

Although the Minnesota squad could come out with a lot of desperation. These are quotes from Michael Russo, Wild beat writer.

I don't know if I've ever covered a team with so much negativity surrounding it.

and

The reality is yesterday was Game 1 of 82, but it felt like they had just lost a playoff game or something.

For more insight about the Wild, check out Hockey Wilderness and Russo's Rants.

Today's game will again be on Versus and the familiar voice of John Forslund will provide the play-by-play. The start time is noon. Our open game thread will be fired up at 11:30.

Can the Hurricanes win two in a row?

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Comments

Glad the game is on...

Got the day off today and can’t wait to watch some hockey again. Our Canes are young but this should serve them well with the long road trip.

by joemullen#7 on Oct 8, 2010 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

I really hope Mo goes with Carson instead of Harrison … I think he proved himself most of last year and we need to start figuring out which D pairings go best together.

by caniac617 on Oct 8, 2010 10:30 AM EDT reply actions

Come On Now, you know Mo is going to go with his illegitimate son Harrison every day of the week. Were undefeated this season with Harrison in the lineup, Mo doesn’t want to mess around with is Mojo.

Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!

by PackPride17 on Oct 8, 2010 10:38 AM EDT up reply actions

you are right, no way he doesn’t play F***’inJHarrison

"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason

by jenniwa30 on Oct 8, 2010 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions

I really don’t like those lines…

Still not a crook!

by TrickyD26 on Oct 8, 2010 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

doesn’t really matter, Mo’s musical lines will start soon after the puck drops

"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason

by jenniwa30 on Oct 8, 2010 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Yesterday he kept them pretty much intact.

Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!

by PackPride17 on Oct 8, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope he at least changes those D pairing a bit, BigChuk/Harrison scares me

"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason

by jenniwa30 on Oct 8, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought Corvo/Pits played pretty lackluster also.

Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!

by PackPride17 on Oct 8, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Completely agree. At least Staal needs to play with more skilled players, even O’Sullivan would be an upgrade for his line.

And put Carson in instead of Harrison.

by MHodak on Oct 8, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

SUTTER WOOOOOO!!!

"That’s what happens when you suck" - Tim Gleason

by jenniwa30 on Oct 8, 2010 10:44 AM EDT reply actions

I would like to see O’Sullivan get a little more ice time after having 9:31 in ice time yesterday.

by unyieldingflan on Oct 8, 2010 10:58 AM EDT reply actions

I think Dalpe deserves a little more than 7:32 also.

Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!

by PackPride17 on Oct 8, 2010 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I like Rosey just not on Staal’s line, but I’m not sure what the answer is for that. Bachuck and Harrison is the worst idea I’ve seen yet this year. Let’s put two D-men together that are defensively questionable – great idea! Corvo and Pitkanen don’t fit either – someone said on another thread that they looked to be tripping over each other, and that’s exactly what they looked like. I’d rather see this for the D:
Gleason, Corvo
Pitkanen, McBain
Babchuk, Carson
I think McBain could handle Pitkanen’s roaming tendencies. But than again, I’m not the coach.

by sunshine12 on Oct 8, 2010 11:25 AM EDT reply actions

Looking at the talent of those lines...

Our first line would be Jokinen, Ruutu, and Skinner

would be Staal, Larose, Cole
would be Sutter, Dwyer, and Bowman

I know Maurice wants to have 3 lines that all have the ability to produce, but I don’t think talents like Staal and Sutter should be playing on the 2nd and 3rd most talented lines respectively. I also don’t think a point producer like Staal should be playing with 2 wings that are pure hustle and no finish.

by pancanbra on Oct 8, 2010 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

woops

That should be 2. and 3. not 1. and 2. next to Staal and Sutter’s lines.

by pancanbra on Oct 8, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Ding, Ding, Ding! I agree completely, but Mo is Coach Moron for a reason.

I understand he wants balance among the lines, but I just don’t think it is the best way to go. Of course, he gets millions to watch this team and I pay to watch them.

Please Mo, take those POS's off Staal's line and put the more skilled POS with Staal!

by PackPride17 on Oct 8, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions